High Plains and Their Utilization by the Indian

摘要: This paper re-examines the thesis, which still persists in some quarters, that limited surface-water supplies, scarcity of through-flowing streams, a generally harsh environment, and shortage wood for tipi poles, stakes, fuel, because they precluded year-round occupation High Plains, would also have made regular seasonal residence through-travel by pedestrians extremely difficult or impossible. A review historic Indian natural resources, notably distribution nature water suggests patterns were entirely feasible prehorse Indians, travel through region, except times severe drought winter storms, been practicable experienced plainsmen, even on foot. The potential significance to archaeology larger perennial springs around shortgrass country is noted. THIS PAPER presents results preliminary inquiry into relationships between his'natural environment central Plains North America. It melancholy fact that, while broad outlines pre-White history area emerging with increasing clarity during past 30 years, neither archaeologists nor ethnologists directed significant share their efforts toward analysis ecological interactions underlie our chronological framework trait lists (Wedel 1941, 1947, 1953, 1961). To neglect this important segment knowledge can perhaps be attributed tendency among observers underestimate region its capacity support native human populations, despite expanding store systematically acquired information about western short-grass archaeological potential. Characterized mid-19th century as part Great American Desert, described years deficiency terms perhaps, Malin (1947: 241) has pointed out, most descriptions explorers travelers from more humid wooded lands eastern United States Europe. observable surface general absence timber suitable firewood, manifest inhospitability wind-swept uplands droughts storms advanced reasons occupancy man; relative thinness record thought idea was occupied only lightly sporadically, if at all, man days. I propose look closely setting see what adjustment lifeways needed utilize ways these adjustments successfully as, undoubtedly, prehistoric